The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has expressed strong support for the National Single Window (NSW) project, describing it as a game-changer that will significantly reduce the cost and time of cargo clearance at Nigerian ports.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the project held in Lagos, the Registrar of the CRFFN, Kingsley Igwe, said the digital platform will not only streamline trade processes but also lower production costs for manufacturers who rely on imported raw materials.
Igwe explained that despite Nigeria’s strategic position as the gateway to West and Central Africa, importers, exporters, and manufacturers still grapple with high logistics costs, paper-based processes, and long delays in cargo clearance.
“Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its economic journey,” he said. “Although we are one of Africa’s largest economies, businesses continue to struggle under the burden of fragmented processes, duplication of documentation, and high operational costs.”
He noted that the National Single Window represents a transformative approach already adopted by countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and Rwanda, where similar trade facilitation reforms have boosted efficiency, competitiveness, and investment inflows.
“It is a digital platform that enables traders, businesses, and regulatory agencies to submit and access trade-related documents through a single, unified interface,” he said.
A unified platform for all trade actors
Igwe explained that the NSW will integrate all port and trade stakeholders including customs, shippers, banks, port operators, and regulatory agencies into a secure, transparent, and interoperable ecosystem.
“With the system, importers and exporters can process documentation once, with instant recognition by all agencies,” he said. “Approvals, permits, licenses, and inspections will be automated and tracked in real time, while payments and cargo releases can occur seamlessly with minimal human contact.”
‘Project will improve compliance and data management’
Also speaking, the Director of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, said the initiative will enhance data generation across key sectors, including maritime and oil and gas, ensuring that all operators comply with established trade and regulatory standards.
Fakolade added that the platform will not only support trade facilitation but also strengthen national competitiveness in the global logistics and export landscape.
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